This accessible guide covers the management of a range of psychiatric problems encountered in emergency departments. Arranged by symptom rather than diagnosis, the handbook describes assessment, investigation and treatment. The authors include an introductory section on eliciting and recording the psychiatric history of a patient. They then consider, in alphabetical order, the management of common psychiatric presentations. A final section examines legal issues, including the use of common law and the Mental Health Act, and liaison with other statutory services, in particular the police and social services.